Soon the group clawed their way over the bow of a snowy hill and just bellow them stood a short but wide tree, branches leafless and black against the icy surroundings."There it is," Blackavar announced, "It had been occupied by a fox, but it left when it saw me coming."

Orion leaped down the verge and began investigating the structure suspiciously. He scented the fox. It hadn't stayed here long. On the south-facing side of the tree, the roots splayed up a little to reveal a small entrance to a larger hollow underneath. "Blackavar's right," Orion called over his shoulder, "We'll be able to fit in here."

Rhea, instead of entering the den underneath, looked up and down the short length of the stunted tree. The wide trunk and low bows reminded her of the times Orion had taken her out into the rocky territories near their old home and they had seen a mountain lynx scale a tree with ease, carrying its prey out of reach of scavengers. The pup had been inspired since then, and had gotten rather good at climbing. She hadn't done it in such a long time.Her strong hind legs thrust upward and hurled her body into the trunk, claws digging deep into the bark as she scrambled clumsily skywards. Fairly easily, she reached the first branch, which was large enough to be able to support her body weight as she caught her breath. Then, more and more effortlessly with every leap, the pure white pup glided from branch to branch until her front was poking out of the top bows. Rhea gasped, "I can see everything from up here!" she called back down to her family bellow, "The sun is just above the horizon. It looks amazing!"

"Rhea!" Orion growled up at the reckless youngster, "Get back down before you fall down!"

Splinter poked his out of the make-shift den and looked up. "Sorry, I'm not a cat, and neither are you! Come on down, please, I don't want you getting hurt." He said, fearful that something bad would happen.

Rhea rolled her eyes. She wanted to stay until the sun fully set, but Orion wouldn't let her in a million seasons. Clumsily, the white dog clamered half-way down, before losing her footing and tumbling the rest of the way, her body hitting the snow with a thud and an 'oof'. Getting up, she shook herself free of most of the snow and smiled guiltily up at Orion, who stoo over her, scowling smuggly.The Alsatian proceeded to lead the way back into the den, Rhea following close behind.

Splinter shook his head before saying, "You guys haven't changed a bit." He laughed a little before shaking the ice off his coat and laying down. Frostbite laid next to him to keep him warm when she saw he was shivering. "Rhea? Are you alright?" She asked softly.

"Yes mum, I'm alright," Rhea said, laughing, "I've still got it. Kind of."She slumped down in the corner, exhausted, and pressed herself hard against the earthy wall in order to make as much room as possible. Soon, Orion, Blackavar ans Seren had made their way into the den and laid down. Soon, the two Northern soldiers drifted off into sleep, and Rhea soon followed.

Rain fell asleep quickly, the day had drained the energy out of him. The female that appeared in his dream the night before came again. Rain had secretly fallen in love with the female, but knew they could never be together. Her voice rang in his ears as she spoke these to words, "Help Me." He turned around, as he realized he was in a forest that appeared to have been mostly burned down. "W-where are you?" The female's form appeared, "I cannot say for I don't know. I am in great danger. Any sign you see of me or any unnatural feeling, do not run away from it. I need you to save me." Rain shook his head in confusion as the dream slowly disappeared and left him in a deep sleep.

Frostbite and Splinter fell asleep last, their bodies were still pressed closely together.